But he said it was just the start of a long road which would lead to him and his staff shaping the squad that would carry the Rocks into their Ryman premier division campaign.

The line-up for the two-hour work-out at East Dean on Tuesday evening
included two veterans – club captain Michael Birmingham and defender Stuart Tuck – and a host of youngsters.

Killpartrick said: "Stuart did a full session, which was great to see, and Michael Birmingham looked in the best physical state I've seen him for five or six years.

"Already, you can see the presence those two have among the younger players. They're going to be very important to us."

Also at training were newly-signed 19-year-old ex-Worthing striker Mickey Demetriou (pictured) and keeper Anthony Ender.

Ender has signed for year, but that has seen Craig Stoner told there is no place for him this season.

Demetriou's England Colleges team-mate James Crane has also signed while talks go on with defender Jack Smith and striker Nathan Lynch.

Killpartrick said quite a number of the 26 who made the first session would probably not still be around when the season began. "We're looking at ending up with a squad of 16, or 18 at the most," he said.

"There will be plenty of comings and goings before then but we are encouraged at the start we've made.

The Rocks' first friendly is at Selsey on Tuesday, July 21.

* The Rocks have been handed home draws in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

They will play Kingstonian in the Cup on September 12, and Ashford Town in the Vase on October 17.